Yorkshire Marathon Recap – 15th Oct 2023

In Which I Get A Decade Of Yorkshire Running Checked Off

Saturday 14th October – Travel Day

Set off up to the local train station around 8am, I’d been as prepared as I always am and did my packing for the trip the night before. What with living in Edinburgh, I have to make my way to York for the marathon (because that’s where it takes place). Got the train into Edinburgh city centre then had a bit of time to spare before the York train so waited around. Not the *most* exciting way to start a blog, but it’s real and that’s what counts.

0915 – Got on the train.

I didn’t get a coffee in the station because I’d had one when I was getting ready and figured I’d get one on the train. Unfortunately the train staff had other ideas because they didn’t start selling anything until we’d gone through Newcastle so had to wait like an hour. See? NOW it’s getting exciting! Got a coffee finally. Then got to York just before noon and went to drop bags off at the apartment I’d booked.

The rest of the day was spent doing touristy stuff around York, the Museum had a ghost display around the gardens which were loads of figures and characters made from mesh wire to look like ghosts. Then because it was the day before a marathon I got my carbs on and had a massive burger with chips. Following that it was a nice relaxed evening and more carbs then to bed!

Sunday 15th October – Marathon Day!

I slept a bit rubbish, a combination of pre-marathon nerves and a slightly smaller bed than I’m used to. Got out of bed around 6am and made a coffee, then had a microwave meal of spaghetti bolognaise (seems to work for me for marathon morning carbs!) and got dressed, then after double and triple checking I had everything I needed I set off for the bus.

I got to the transfer bus around 0730 (saw a fox!) and updated my facebook page to say I’d got on the bus. The transfer goes from York train station to York University where the marathon starts and finishes and takes about 15/20 minutes. The race wasn’t sue to start until 0930 but, as previously mentioned, I’m one of the 37 runners who have taken part in EVERY Yorkshire Marathon since it first started in 2013, and we were all getting VIP treatment.

Usually before a race I’m queuing up at the portaloo and hanging around trying to keep warm waiting for the start. Not this time! This time I was sitting at a table drinking free coffee and eyeing up the free pastries. The VIP bit was in the Central Hall of York Uni and was great, no queues for the toilets or anything. Plus it meant I got to chat with some of the other ever-presents and we all got a group photo taken, then escorted to the start line. How the other half live!

Go time. My training this year has been, what can be politely described as, a bit shit. As such I figured I could get around the route in maybe 4.45, maybe closer to 5hrs. I wouldn’t be annoyed at going over 5hrs though, because I know that I’ve not put the effort in as much as previous years. But as the goal today was just to get round and get my 10th Yorkshire Marathon medal, I was gonna try enjoy the day (as much as you can enjoy running 26.2 miles…)

Start to Miles Two – I saw the 4hr 30min pacer in front of me so decided to stick with them as long as I could, which wasn’t very long because I got stuck in the crowd and couldn’t really get going for the first 10 minutes or so. Ah well, I’d just try stay ahead of the 4hr 45min pacer instead and see what happens. The first few miles are full or smiles and cheers and all the happiness of the race being under way. It goes right in front of York Minster around two miles in and the bells were ringing away.

Miles Two to Seven – After the huge York Minster we ran in pretty much a straight line for the next five miles, there’s a bit of a hill to where the relay people have their first change over (think they do like 6 and a half miles each?) and I was feeling all good. I’d reached the 10k point in about an hour and two minutes so was looking OK to get under five hours.

Miles Seven to 13 – After getting to 10k I told myself that I was going to run for two miles then have a bit of a walk (and a couple jelly babies) and carry on in that way for as long as I could manage. No WAY did I plan on running the whole thing, I know my limits. This part of the route is the scenic bit, it winds it’s way through a bit of the country roads and there’s a long(ish) bit that’s lined with trees on both sides. Then before you know it you’re at the 13 mile point, and then halfway! (2hr 18mins).

Miles 13 to 20 – The tough bit. There’s a short out and back from mile 13 to mile 15 but it’s always really well supported so it’s not so bad. I was starting to feel the effort but was still sticking to run a couple miles and walk a couple minutes. 15 to 17 is a bit tough, the support dies away for this section and it’s a steady uphill all the way. Plus if you’ve done the race previously (I have!) then you know there’s another tough bit to come. From mile 17 it goes down hill and you can see thousands of other runners coming the other way, as this is the looooong out and back bit. There’s amazing support on this section and someone on a microphone shouting and cheering you all on. The turn around is around mile 18 and then you run all the way back up (this time being one of the ones on the other side, obvs) and it’s a bit of a slog. Luckily, the 4hr 45min pacer group caught up with me and they had music going so I decided to try and stick with them to take my mind off the uphill-ness of it all. Finally FINALLY you get to mile 20, and the last 10k of the run.

Miles 20 to 26 – I stuck with the pacer group longer than I thought I’d manage (they don’t walk) and so I didn’t have my next bit of walking until around mile 22. I’d reached 30k in approx. 3hr 20mins so was feeling confident in getting back in under 5hrs. The last few miles for me are always a mixture of feeling so good that I’ve come so far, feeling so happy that I’m ticking off the last few miles, and feeling like I want to sit down and find someone to carry me to the end. I wasn’t running two miles at a time anymore, but I was keeping going by counting my steps and I was running 100 steps then walking 100 steps. Honestly, if you’re every struggling in a run, try it.

Miles 26 to 26.2 – Why the chuff is there a massive hill? Why did I forget it was here? Ah well, doesn’t go on for long, and having reached the top it’s a nice steady downhill sprint (HA!) to the finish line. Official time was 4hr 51mins 58sec. VERY chuffed with THAT.

Post Race – My legs hurt. I’d finished though, and well under 5hrs. Made my way to the event village where we (the VIPS) were told we had a special souvenir to pick up (pic below, arty shot with my medal on it) which was a really nice gesture from the organisers at Run For All. Actually ALL of the VIP stuff was amazing.

Found the way to the transfer bus back into York city centre and it took ages because of the traffic, so by the time I was getting off my legs were nice and seized up. The joys of being a hero. Got back to the apartment (via the shop for beer) and had a shower (with a beer) then it took me like eleven hours to get dressed. The evening recovery plans were Thai food and alcohol and that’s exactly what happened, the Thai food was amazing and went to a place called Evil Eye for an Old Fashioned (just like Hemingway used to drink. And just like this Hemingway was drinking now!) Few more pubs, then back to the apartment for much needed sleep.

Monday 16th October – Recovery Day

Ow. Suck it up, legs! Today was full of touristy stuff so no time to listen to the aches and pains I was feeling. Instead, I vocalised them constantly. The morning was a trip to the Jorvik Viking Centre (home to the biggest poo in history! Honest!) followed by a visit inside York Minster, lunch (was a bit put off by the massive poo) and then Wizard Golf, which is obviously inspired by Harry Potter but without the licencing. Dinner was two big pizzas and more beer.

So that’s it! My Yorkshire Marathon recap for ANOTHER year done. I’ve got plenty of races lined up for 2024 already and decided that THIS time I’m gonna take it seriously (as he says every time). Thank you to everyone that takes the time to read me mumble on about this kinda stuff, and for the nice messages and comments I get. I’ll do a post next week about what’s coming up in 2024 and hopefully see you at a start line!

Great Scottish Run 10k – Late Recap

In Which I Don’t Do Very Well At All

The Great Scottish Run takes place in Glasgow and the 2022 version was on the 2nd October. I’d decided to enter it a whole week before it took place, so obviously I was FULLY prepared.

I picked up my original injury in mid June, didn’t run at all in July then started getting back in to it in August when I did a total of 13 miles spread out over four runs. September was a little better with nine runs (a total of 42 miles) but still waaaayyyy behind where I should’ve been in my marathon training (Yorkshire marathon was mid October).

AND SO that daft little voice in my head said “ooo you should do a race to see where your training is at” and the other, more sensible voice, went “ooo yeah you should sign up!” So up I signed.

The train from Edinburgh to Glasgow took an hour and I went all posh and sat in first class. (It cost an extra pound). The start of the race was quite near the train station which was handy and I got there in plenty of time to pick up my race number (it would usually get posted out but as I was a late entry I had to collect on the day).

It was a bit sunny but not too warm which made it decent running weather, so I made use of the facilities and got myself into the start pen. My wave got going not long after 9.35am and we were off, my second event of the year (actually third, I’ve decided to count the kids 1km I did with my son). (Actually FOURTH! I did a potato run. I’ll talk about that another day…)

About 500 metres in to the run I saw a Facebook friend, Craig, at the sidelines cheering everyone on. He was doing the Half Marathon later in the morning and I noticed him because he’d dyed his hair purple for fundraising for the New York Marathon. I’d never actually met him in real life, he’s one of those that you’ve ended up online friends with through various groups. I gave him a shout, he gave a wave, and then I approached a hill.

A HILL?

Yep, the Great Scottish 10k starts with a Great Glaswegian Hill. It wasn’t as bad as I’m making out, maybe like 100ft or so, but as I’d not checked the route I hadn’t been expecting it. Never mind, start of the race so I figured I’ll power up it. Mistake. As soon as I got to the top I felt my (formally healed) injury start to niggle at my foot, not even a mile in. What can you do though? No way am I not finishing so I figured I’ll run as much as I can then take a few walking breaks.

At two miles the route took us over the River Clyde on the Kingston Bridge and then we looped underneath to reach the halfway point, by which point I was taking my first (of a few) walking breaks. I don’t have much to say about the sights because it’s Glasgow and as far as I’m aware it’s not known for its natural beauty. Although I DID go by a few shops, one of which could’ve been called Natural Beauty I guess?

Back over the River Clyde (different bridge) then we followed the road at the side of the river for the final two miles (which included TWO MORE bridge crossings). Finally it was done. I was very done. And sore. But I had a new medal and a new t-shirt and the promise of beer was in my mind. My official time was 1 hour and 5 seconds. (As it turned out the course had been measured a bit short so I’m not counting that I went over an hour).

I saw Veronica from work and we went to find a pub and food (beer). We’d been in there an hour or so and who should turn up in this random pub, with hundreds to choose from, but Craig with his purple hair. Finally met him in person!

I’ll be doing this race again this year (1st October) because I need to go get an official time. And a good time. And I just love bridges, ya know?

*****

As always, feel free to make friends with me on Strava

74 Days to London Marathon! I’m gladly accepting anything and everything towards my sponsorship goal (so long as it’s money).

See you soon!

January Recap

In Which I Recap…. January

• Runs: Seven
• Distance: 28 miles
• Total time: 4hr 50mins

(Just to be clear, in case you’re thinking that this’ll be a recap of EVERYONE’S January, it’s just mine. Sorry about the confusion).

After Yorkshire marathon in October I got a little bit injured. Then a bit sick. Then recovered and got a different sick. Then Christmas and all that jazz and suddenly I realised I didn’t run AT ALL in November or December. What’s THAT about?

My first run of 2023 was 3rd January, five miles, after a 12hr shift (I didn’t run the 1st or 2nd because I had family visiting). I then ran again on the 6th and after that guess what? I got sick AGAIN.

First run of 2023

My next run was on the 19th and then I did four more before the end of the month to give me a total of 28 miles. February definitely needs to be a much higher mileage because London marathon is fast approaching and I’ve not been going ANYWHERE fast.

Got myself a training plan written out (love a plan) and on my rest days I’ll follow a YouTube kettlebell fitness video as, at the moment, my kettlebell is actually used as a doorstop…

Pretty much sticking to the healthy eating most days, plenty of salad and stir frys, but struggle when my son is home with me (he’s here half the week) because he doesn’t need salad so I usually have what ever I make for him. And then his leftovers.

On a healthy day

That’s it for today! As always, feel free to make friends with me on Strava

And I’ll leave my fundraising begging link here too:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/marchemingway82

Redesign, Rebuild, Return!

OH good MORNING!

It’s been a while. How have you been? I like what you’re doing with your hair these days, suits you.

As for me I’ve been plodding away as usual, but nowhere near as much as I have in previous years. I seemed to lose motivation when that stupid pandemic and lock-down started. I was all set to run the Bradford 10k in March 2020, got the train down from Scotland and everything, then the day before it was due to take place it got cancelled.

I’ll be honest (always) and since then I’ve struggled a bit to get any real habit or motivation back.

I’ve done a few races here and there (Mad Dog 10k in 2022, Yorkshire Marathon in 2021 and 2022, couple of local Scottish events) but haven’t pushed myself in to training as much as I should.

That’s changed this year (2023, you know that) as in 13 short weeks I’ll be lining up at the start line of…

…THE LONDON MARATHON!!!

Oh my life.

My training plan is in place, the junk food is in the bin, and I have brand new running shoes. Just got those training miles to be doing!

Going forward I’m gonna be mixing up the blog a bit. I don’t feel that post after post of my sweaty face is conductive to a decent read (definitely not a decent picture!) and so I’m going to start including things like recipes and a bit more about what I’m doing day to day with my son. More of a Running Dad blog than a Running Blob blog ya know?

Anyway! Keep in touch, you’ve missed so much (you haven’t really, already mentioned I’ve been lazy).

Speak soon!

A Month To Go

In Which All My Panic Sets In

DA-DA-DAHH-DAHH

Yesterday was five weeks until Edinburgh Marathon. Which now means its four weeks on Sunday. Add in the taper week and I have three weeks of training left but I’m on nights for the next couple of days (well, nights ya’know) and so that’s like two weeks left so next week is the last week and I may as well just give up on my training altogether.

Ahhhhh the familiar pre-marathon race panic. Kinda feels nice it’s back.

DA-DA-DA-DAH-DAHHH

But in a good way five weeks today it’ll be all over and done with. London Marathon was yesterday (I didn’t get it, AGAIN) but I knew a few friends that ran it in the stupid heat and all finished and now all have a brand new shiny medal. (One each, even!) Then this morning Runners World magazine landed through my letter box, so it’s all run run run this week. Except I haven’t run in a couple of weeks. Not through lazyness (promise) but through what felt like major chub-rub. (I’ll save the picture for when I see you.)

DA-DA-DAHH-DAHH

I was doing chuffing great with my training. My shift pattern is two 12hr days, two 12hr nights, four days off so I decided that after both day shifts I would run 4 miles straight after work, and then run 10 miles to work for my first night shift. (We have showers at work, don’t panic.) Then I’d fit in a 3 mile and a 6 mile run on the days off. It worked well. I’d actually managed to run a bit further than 10 miles on my way in a couple times, one of 11 and one 1/2 marathon distance.

DA-DA-DA-DAH-DAHHH

But then week before last I went out in the afternoon on a day off for a 10k run. I struggled all day to motivate myself out the door and finally got off the sofa and went to get into my running kit. Bugger. I’d forgotten that my running kit was all in the wash. I searched through a few boxes of clothes which I’ve yet to unpack (we only moved here eight months ago, plenty of time yet) and found an old pair of shorts and a Bradford 10k finishers t-shirt and then I was off. From home I have loops of a mile, 5k, 5 mile and 10k. Thought about doing the 5k loop twice but the 10k loop has more hills. Couple miles in and I could feel my thighs chafing. Quite badly.

DAH-DA-DAH-DA-DA-DA-DA-DAH-DAHHHHHHH

ALSO now that I’m typing this I remember that I got mugged off by a kestrel. It was hovering around the edge of a field so I stopped my watch, took my phone from its armband and I tried to take a picture but it flew further down the edge. I started my watch, phone back in, and ran 50 metres or so to where the bird was now hovering. Same again, watch stopped, phone out, kestrel flew further. And repeat. Watch go, phone in, run down, stop. FIVE TIMES the feathery mouse-eating bastard did this, before FLYING ALL THE CHUFFING WAY BACK TO WHERE IT FIRST WAS. Got mugged off by a squirrel on my way to work a few days ago too. But anyway.

Finished the run and got home then in the shower. (Again, pics when I see you.) What I didn’t realise was that the lining of my old shorts was ripped in a few places and so caused what I can only describe as ‘major rubbage’ on the inside of my poor thighs. I’ve honestly never seen thighs this raw since I was last at Asdas chicken counter. It felt like sunburn and not Scottish summer sunburn. Like actually sitting on the sun, burning. The pain put me out of action for well over a week and it was even painful to walk let alone run.

My legs finally started to heal and I stopped walking like I’ve not got to the toilet in time. Just in time for our holiday as it happened and so I packed my running kit in my suitcase and decided I’d run 3 of the 4 days we were away in Montenegro. Problem with THAT plan was the all-inclusive food and alcohol in the place we were staying. Didn’t run once, but funnily enough got actual sunburn. On my legs…

I say funnily enough but it wasn’t funny at all at the time. We did find a pub named after me though!

No, not ‘Tosser’, Hemingways!

So I figure I’ve got a couple weeks to get my training back on track and then it’s onto marathon number nine. I’m running to raise money for Prostate Cancer and am taking any and all donations at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hemingway-run

(You look nice by the way)

Thanks.

IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! DA-DA-DAH-DAHHH! DA-DA-DA-DAH-DAHHH!!

(heh.)

 

(Amazingly) Delayed Yorkshire Marathon 2017 Recap

In Which I’m Not Even Joking, It’s Almost Time For 2018 Yorkshire Marathon It’s THAT Delayed

Good evening! (I’m guessing. Evening here, but I don’t know where you are. Or when you’ll read this. Or IF! Oh my.)

Finally got around to writing my race recap for York Marathon 2017 (as written in the title. So this sentence is pretty much just filler. I’d skip it if I were you.)

We (myself and Hayley) drove down from lovely Edinburgh to equally lovely York on the Saturday morning. We arrived at an Airbnb (how modern of us) at around 3pm after a 4hr car journey. (Making sure you know it’s a car we drove and not a train.)

The host of the Airbnb had been in touch to tell us that she wouldn’t be there and had left details on where the keys to the house were, which meant that instead of just a room for the night we had access to a whole house the the bargain price of £35. It was a lovely house too, but I’m not telling you where because even after I left a 5* review and we left the house as we found it, the host didn’t leave me ANY review and yeah, I’m THAT petty sometimes.

We were planning on doing a Ghost Walk around York (theres a few that go on every night but the one you want starts from outside the front of the Minster. Best one.) But as it was a Saturday night York was heaving with Stag and Hen parties so didn’t fancy being heckled from people more interested in spirits rather than spirits.

Instead we had a bit of a wander around by ourselves (I think? Wooooooooo…..) and then made our way back to the house. We ordered take-away (carbs for the next mornings marathon.) I can’t remember what I ordered (Chips? Rice?) but Hayley ordered a Viking Pizza and it arrived like this and OHMYLIFE was it good!

And then, to bed!

Before too long my alarm was going off and it was time to get up and at ’em.

The start of the marathon was (as is always) up at York university. You can pay on a transfer bus that takes you from York train station to the start, and back again at the end. As the uni is a few miles out, it always makes sense.

The marathon then makes its way from the Uni into York city centre (just before mile 2 on the handy map below) and then out towards little towns and villages dotted around the place. We had a chat and it made more sense for Hayley to cheer on from the city centre then make her way to the University for the end, rather than be stuck at the Uni all day. (Handily gave herself an extra hour in bed there. Convenient!)

Breakfast was the standard coffee and a crappy microwave burger. (It works for me!) Then I was off on my way for the bus which was around a 30 minute walk. (Nice warm up.)

Huge queue to get on but they put on loadsa buses so didn’t have to wait long.

Arriving at the start I messaged Paul to see where he was at. It was his first marathon today and so I said I’d run it with him for support and general niceness. He found me in the toilet queue (I needed to go, wasn’t just there for the fun) and then (after) we made our way to the start to line up.

JUST realised I didn’t take many pics for this post so you’ll have to imagine. No wait, I did art at school I’m sure I can do the scene justice! Give your thoughts a break, stop imagining and start VISUALISING!

Now, don’t let the picture fool you. First: That’s actually a drawing and not a photo. Second: There were more people than that.

Before we knew it, it was go time. It’s always a very well organised start and this year was the same. No waiting around to get to the start line, just a nice steady walk.

We started at a nice steady pace and the plan was to keep to that and walk through each water station (which are roughly 5k apart.) 15mins in and we’re approaching the town centre and I started looking for the missus. Saw her at the side, ran over to give her a kiss (Awwwwhhhhhh) and then we ran by the minster. (Me and Paul, not me and Hayley. That’d be against the rules.)

5k: First water station. All good.

10k: Just over an hour. All good.

Carried on a bit further and then felt a slight pain in my knee. Got steadily worse until around mile 11 where I told Paul that he should bugger off on alone so he doesn’t miss out on a decent time for his first marathon, and from then on it was painful.

1/2 Marathon in 2hr 12minutes.

Mile 13 is downhill to the turn around at mile 14 and I saw Paul coming up the opposite side so stopped for a little talk and told him I was in pain and not to expect me to be at the end anytime soon after him. From here to the end is a combination of slow running and hobbling. Few minutes run, more minutes hobble.

Mile 14-16 is steadily slightly uphill so that hurt.

Mile 16 to 18 is nicely steadily downhill so that was better, but still hurt. Mile 18 turn around and go back up. You shit.

Saw the archbishop of York on the way up high-fiving the runners. He was decked out in his traditional purple robes and I honestly thought it was someone in a Magneto fancy dress costume.

Mile 20 arrived (not soon enough) and it looked like I was going to record a PW (Personal Worst) time, I was estimating that due to the speed I was going and the amount I was slowing I’d be around 5hr 20mins. Ugh. Ah well, goonies never say die and all that!

Digging deep I started to count my steps. Run for 100, walk for 100. Keep the rhythm, feel the rhyme. The crowds at Yorkshire marathon are always fantastic and the support is brilliant. The cheers of the crowd really do motivate you on. (Looking back, that is. Not at the time. At the time you want to shout “No I will NOT run faster and I am NOT almost there!” But you don’t, because it’s hard enough to breathe as it is.)

Before long the end was in sight, and so was a nice sit down.

Amazingly, I finished in 04:51:47! (Paul finished in 04:22:32 but no one likes a show off.)

Total number of Yorkshire Marathons I’ve completed: 5

Total number of Marathons I’ve completed: EIGHT!

Met Hayley at the end and also Paul and his missus were waiting too. (He’d been sick after finishing. Serves him right.)

Congratulated each other then made our separate ways. Myself and Hayley got to the pub for beer and recovery chips and then a four hour drive back up to Scotland. (I had a shower first otherwise that’d be an interesting scent to take!)

Already entered Yorkshire Marathon 2018. Standard.

100 Mile In June

In Which I Try Run 1… Just Read The Title Again

So I managed to finish May on 75 miles, which is a lot more than I expected as I’ve been a lazy bugger lately. Looking back over my stats since I started running and it seems its my second best month for miles EVER (since I started running in 2012.)

The best month I ever had was last year when I managed 100 mile one month. That month being last June…

…ooooo thats like a YEARLY JUNE CHALLENGE!

I got so giddy I made this to keep a visual motivational paper pen notebook drawing representation of my miles:

Obviously one box equals one mile. Don’t need a comment like housemate Rob when he said “there aren’t 100 days in June”….

June 1st

I worked a 12 hour shift, 6-6. So obviously you’re thinking that I didn’t run much, and honestly I was only planning on 10k at most, but ended up (no idea how) running 10 MILES.

June 2nd

Figured a short, 3.1 mile recovery run. Chuffing hurt that did though.

June 4th

A guy at work, Paul, has started running. He’s only fine treadmill runs up till now though, so I convinced him to come out on the road with me. His fastest treadmill 5km was 38 mins. We did a 5km on the road in 30:45. OooooAHHHHH!

June 6th

My day off so planned on running 15 miles. Slept in though, and stupid hot (for England) so put off my run for a day. Instead, I sat in the back garden and got sunburnt.

June 7th

Woke up around half 7. Didn’t fancy running and considered putting it off again but I’ve been reading Unbroken (about Louis Zamperini) and the things he went through with running and everything else made me realise I was being a bit sawft, so got my kit on and got out the door.

0830 and it was already 16 degrees. My plan was to run uphill for 5 miles to a reservoir called Ogden Water, lap it a few times (four) for another 5 miles then run 5 miles home to get a total of 15.

Honestly, I considered turning around at two miles. My breathing was off, both my shins hurt and I was dripping with sweat. In my head I told myself I’ll get to 5k, then I can turn and end up on 10k. Got there, and figured I’d try push on to 4 miles. Got there, then thought if I get to Ogden Water I’ll do a lap to see what its like and then go home.

God it hurt. Hardest 5 miles I’ve ever done. Got there though. The laps of the reservoir are around 1.2 miles so figured I’d struggle through one then bugger off home.

Water selfie, then got going. And you know what? The lap was amazing. Breathing sorted itself out, plenty of shaded areas, beautiful scenery and hardly anyone there. I flew round it. Decided I’d do the full four laps after all. I seriously enjoyed each and everyone. The best bit was when I ran by a mother and son (around 5 year old) and I heard the kid say “Mummy, does that man know he’s allowed to walk?”

Four laps done, ready for 5 miles home. Figured ‘sod it’, do two more. So I did. If I went home now I’d finish on 17.5 miles, 2.5 more than I thought I’d get.

But then, THEN, that voice came into my head…

“Two more laps would get you home with 20 miles…”

Looked at my drink situation, looked at the time, looked at the temperature (24 degrees) and made the sensible choice.

TWO MORE LAPS.

And I still enjoyed it. Finished those, then ran the 5 miles downhill home. God it was chuffing hot…

Dunno what happened with my camera but this is me after 20 miles, looking quite fresh!

“Mad Dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun, not to mention Englishmen in Mad Dogs running shirts”

In case you don’t believe me, here: (look at that elevation!!)

Didn’t realise how dusty the run was until I got undressed and thought I still had trousers on

So yeah! 36 miles so far for June, very chuffed with that!

Next Up

Hull 10k on June 19th